Let me start of this Summer 2019 federal policy update with a quick introduction. I am Cynthia Whitney and I have been working in APA’s government relations offices for the past five years, in a couple of different positions. Here is a brief bioopens in new window for more information. This winter, I was absolutely thrilled to be hired as a legislative and federal affairs officer to cover the children, youth and family federal policy portfolio. I knew Micah Haskell-Hoehl well from my previous roles and I know he left big shoes to fill. I am truly looking forward to future opportunities to collaborate with Div. 37’s Section on Child Maltreatment. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or if you would like to meet up with me at APA convention in Chicago.
Angelique Day has already provided a useful update on what is going in federal child maltreatment policies, so I will simply fill you in on some of APA’s recent activities as well as what I see on the horizon in the coming weeks and months. I have also included updates from my colleagues Serena Davila, who covers immigration policy, and Amalia Corby, who covers the criminal justice system.
Stronger CAPTA
-
H.R. 2480, the bipartisan Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Stronger CAPTA) incorporates many of the National Child Abuse Coalition’s recommendations, which APA was involved in developing.
-
The bill, which passed the House in May, emphasizes the importance of strengthening families, treating trauma in children and caregivers, and preventing child abuse before it occurs. The bill also includes a long overdue increase to the funding authorization levels.
-
APA sent a letter of thanks and support to the sponsors of Stronger CAPTA as well as the leadership of the House Education and Labor Committee.
-
We anticipate that a Senate version of CAPTA reauthorization will be introduced in July 2019 and move swiftly to mark-up. APA will continue our advocacy on key improvements as well as funding increases on the Senate side and if the bills move conference.
-
In April, the Children’s Bureau released a Noticed of Proposed Rule Making that would eliminate many important data elements from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS).
-
The AFCARS data elements had been updated through a regulatory process in November 2016, but implementation was delayed by the new administration.
-
A great deal of the data elements that would be removed by the new proposal are focused on some of the most vulnerable children within the child welfare system, sexual and gender minorities and American Indian and Alaskan Native youth.
-
APA submitted comments in June and will continue to follow changes to AFCARS.
Migrant Children
-
APA sent a letteropens in new window to President Donald Trump on June 27, 2019, calling for an end to the policy of separating families at the border.
-
Citing research on the psychological harm experienced by children and caregivers alike, Evans’ letter called the separation policy “inconsistent with our values as a nation,” requested prompt signing of the emergency border aid package passed by Congress. Further, the letter called for a meeting with administration officials “to discuss how psychologists and psychological science can help improve conditions for all immigrants.”
-
For more information, contact Serena Davila and also check out APA’s advocacy page on immigration.
Juvenile Justice
-
APA joined with coalition partners to advocate for H.R. 1949, 1950, and 1951, a trio of bills that call for consideration of childhood trauma, sexual abuse and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) during sentencing for children in the federal criminal justice system.
-
The letter, asking for additional co-sponsors in the House, focused on the overrepresentation of children with childhood trauma and other ACEs in criminal justice systems, and argues for increased flexibility for judges to consider a child’s background and exposure to childhood trauma, including children who have been abused and/or trafficked.
-
For more information, contact Amalia Corby.